A58039:112
A token for mariners
A token for mariners containing many famous and wonderful instances of God's providence in sea dangers and deliverances, in mercifully preserving the lives of his poor creatures, when, in humane probability, at the point of perishing by shipwreck, famine, or other accidents. much enlarged, with the addition of many new relations, one whereof happening this present year, and never before printed. Mostly attested by the persons themselves. Also The seaman's preacher, being a sermon on the right improvement of such mercies. And prayers for seamen on all occasions.A token for mariners containing many famous and wonderful instances of God's providence in sea dangers and deliverances, in mercifully preserving the lives of his poor creatures, when, in humane probability, at the point of perishing by shipwrack, famine, or other accidents. much enlarg'd, with the addition of many new relations, one whereof happening this present year, and never before printed. Mostly attested by the persons themselves. Also The seaman's preacher, being a sermon on the right improvement of such mercies. And prayers for seamen on all occasions.
London: printed by Hugh Newman, 1698
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
In the Text we have three things observable. 1. Their endeavours in this great distress to preserve themselves. 1. They lightened the Ship, and what was it she was laden with? it was Wheat, (vers. 38.) They lightened the Ship, and cast the Wheat into the Sea; thus did Jonah's Mariners cast out the Wares. Alas, what are these things, but lumber to lives? if it were Gold, it must go for Life. Skin for skin and all that a man hath will he give for his life. Then what should a man give for his Soul? what will a man give for his Soul? what will a man give in exchange for his Soul? 2. Endeavour; they cast out the Tackling of their Ship; any thing they part with to save their lives, though never so useful to them; even that which was ⟨p. 113⟩necessary for their Voyage, they are under a necessity to part with it, for the preservation of their lives.
In the Text we have three things observable. 1. Their endeavors in this great distress to preserve themselves. 1. They lightned the Ship, and what was it she was laden with? it was Wheat, (vers. 38.) They lightned the Ship, and cast the Wheat into the Sea; thus did Jonah's Mariners cast out the Wares. Alas, what are these things, but lumber to lives? if it were Gold, it must go for Life. Skin for skin and all that a man hath will he give for his life. Then what should a man give for his Soul? what will a man give for his Soul? what will a man give in exchange for his Soul? 2. Endeavor; they cast out the Tackling of their Ship; any thing they part with to save their lives, though never so useful to them; even that which was ⟨p. 113⟩necessary for their Voyage, they are under a necessity to part with it, for the preservation of their lives.
2. We have their Dangers as well as Endeavours. 1. It is expressed in the violence of the Tempest; they were exceedingly tossed with a Tempest. 2. It was dark weather, neither Sun nor Stars appeared, which used to be great comforts and helps to poor men at Sea. 3. Their Danger is expressed in this, they were brought to the brink of the black pit of Despair; all Hope now was taken away. O what a sad distressed condition was this! their Hope, which is called the Anchor of the Soul, yea which is the Sheet-Anchor of the Soul, was lost; they gave all their lives over for gone and lost: And oh, what could now a company of men do that had lost their Hopes and Hearts? could these that had lost their Hopes find their hands? they were now saying, as the Jews did in their Captivity, Our Hope is lost, we are cut off for our parts, (